17 Awesome Tips to your Perfect First Date

First dates are usually tough and rather tricky. And as
the saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression!

No matter how well you get along with someone online,
everyone knows that nothing really happens until you get in front of each
other. That’s when you’ll find out if there is enough chemistry to lead
to romance. And that can put a lot of pressure on both people.

The way you look, behave and communicate all have a huge
impact on whether your first date
will lead to a second. A great first date can make all the difference. It’s
therefore important to present your best self to make sure that things go well.

To help you, not only get through your first date and also
enjoy it, we provide the following road map; -

1. Choose a perfect
place.

This first meeting is an experience, not an interview, where
do you go? The place you choose to go on a date has a lot of do with your
age and also expectations out of the date.

It is always advisable to pick a place that will let you walk
and talk at the same time. This will provide readily available talking
points. It’s the connection that’s important, not what you do.

The ideal meeting place is somewhere neutral and public.
Stay away from movies or other activities that will make it hard to talk to your date. Attending
events or participating in fun activities together will help you both loosen
up, and you can reserve some time afterward to have some one-on-one
interaction.

Do something cheap: the park, zoo, a promenade, the
museum. All of these will give you ample things to look at and chat
about, all while creating a fun, shared experience that will be memorable for
both of you… and open the door for a heart connection.

2. Keep the date personal.

If you want to know what to do on a date, stop thinking
about what others think. Plan the date keeping both your interests in mind. Do
both of you like a band that’s playing in your city, or would your date prefer
trying a new cuisine, or would you prefer to play it safe and just go for
coffee? Plan the date keeping both your intimacy levels and comfort in mind.

Involve your date. It’ll make them feel appreciated and more
involved. In most cases, girls expect the man to come up with all the plans.
But to start with, ask your date for suggestions or places she’d be interested
to go to.

The key here is to keep
your date’s comfort in mind.

3. Make yourself presentable.

Take a hot shower, wash your hair and brush your teeth. You are
going to want to make sure that you are clean, fresh and ready to put your best
foot forward from the skin outward. It can be awkward going on a date with
someone who smells bad or has food stuck in their teeth, so start by taking
care of your basic hygiene needs.

Dress to impress on a first
date.Like
it or not, most people judge books by their covers. So make sure you look
fabulous! Pick an outfit that makes you feel comfortable and
confident but isn’t too revealing. Instead go for the casual, classy look.
Jazz up your outfit with some accessories and killer shoes!

4. The rules of dating.

Don’t be late on a date, and don’t ever stand your date up. Not
only will it demonstrate that you are taking the date seriously, it can also
give you a chance to get comfortable with the setting and mentally prepare for
your introduction.

If you are the guy, behave like a gentleman and treat your
date like a lady. If you are the girl, be the damsel around your date and help
him feel more like a man. It’s just a few of the most important dating rules
you need to remember to have a perfect date.

5. Be polite.

Manners say
a lot about a person. In addition to simply acting friendly, show your
date that you are a gentleman (or a lady) by being considerate. Guys should
hold open doors, pull out chairs and offer to pick up the bill, if it pleases
the girl. Both people should practice good manners when eating and speaking to
keep from making the other uncomfortable.

Common courtesy is a must, but it may be off-putting to some
people to have things done for them. See how your date reacts to little
gestures before forcing more of this kind of behaviour on them.

During the date, keep your cellphone on silent mode and
answer only urgent calls. Leaving your cell phone out on the table during a
date could ruin your chances of making a serious connection. A cell phone
detracts from intimacy. Most importantly, say “please” and “thank you.”

6. Show an interest in your date.

Give your undivided attention to your date so that they know
you have taken a genuine interest in them and what they have to say. Maintain
eye contact when talking, and nod or make small verbal confirmations like
“mmhm” and “I agree” to signal that you are really listening. When people feel
that they are interesting to others, they become more confident and more
comfortable as a result.

Don’t dominate the conversation or constantly turn it around
to be about yourself. Let them talk while listening intently, then share your
thoughts when the discussion comes around to you. Get a feel for your date’s
mood during the course of the date. Be mindful of considerations like “is
he/she comfortable?” “Am I talking too much?” etc.

7. Keep the Conversation Interesting.

Conversation is one of the most important parts of a first
date and it's often pretty difficult to navigate. Conversation on a first date
needs balance between impressing someone and learning about them.

Things like hobbies, travel, movies, culture, sports, etc., are all suitable
topics. Stay away from personal and sensitive matters, there will be plenty of
time to talk about your past
relationships, family issues and political views in the future.

Never plan out what you are going to say ahead of time.
Rehearsed lines and jokes end up having a negative effect on the date.Think about what you can do to make sure
that your discussions are not the boring but not risky type. Just have a
pleasant conversation with your date and keep the happy conversation going.

The key is creating a “shared experience” that establishes a
lasting, romantic connection from the get-go. Avoid common mistakes like asking stereotypical
questions or dominating the conversation and instead up the ante a bit by
asking some riskier questions.

Save your real or
perceived problems and flaws until you know she/he is deeply interested in you
or at least interested. The goal of a first date is to have a good time and to
contribute at least 50% of the effort toward achieving that goal.

8. Make your intentions clear from the start.

Avoid playing
games. If you are looking for something serious and get the same feedback from
your date, then keep the end of the date PG-rated. Give yourselves the luxury
of having something to look forward to.

But remember, you are
not going to propose to them. So, there’s no need to go overboard on the first
date. Keep the first date light, fun, and romantic.

9. Create memories.

A first date has to be memorable. You have to keep in mind
that your date will definitely have a conversation about this date with their
friends the next morning. The more special you make them feel that evening, the
more their friends will speak in your favour the next morning. Look for ways to
create something memorable and happy during the date and the date will tilt in
your favour no matter what.

10. Focus on having a good time.

Remember to relax and think of the date as a treat rather
than an obligation. First dates can sometimes be nerve-wracking, but stay
positive and try to have fun. Keep your date (and yourself) laughing and don't
take the occasion too seriously. Get absorbed in your
conversation and shut off the part of your brain that's constantly analysing
whether the date is a success. Whatever your reasons are for dating, the most
important thing is for you and your date to enjoy each other’s company.

If you feel like your date isn't having a good time, switch
up your activities. If you both feel awkward talking over drinks at a fancy
bar, for instance, pay the bill and go for a long walk outside, or find
something else to do to take the pressure off. You may just need a change of
environment.

11. Use the "Right" Amount of Eye Contact.

When we lock eye contact for too long, the other person
might see that as forced dominance. This is usually not something you want to
exude on a first date because it's confrontational. Too much eye contact was
actually counterproductive therefore balancing the right kind of eye contact is
crucial.

The right amount of eye contact is about 7-10 seconds
of eye contact at a time. Hold your gaze, look away briefly at a window, waiter
or other table, then return the look.

12. Mind Your Body Language

Body language can reveal all kinds of things about
another person and how you present yourself is equally as important.
Whether you realise it or not, we read a lot into a person's body language, so
you want to make sure you are not sending out the wrong signals.

Don’t assume an unattractive pose. That means that men
should not pretend to a macho style where they strut about and assume a
truculence as a way of looking strong. Neither should women seem aloof. It
comes across as snobbery.

Both should also not pretend sophistication. It is
intimidating rather than appealing.

Just keep your body language relaxed and comforting. It is
suggested that you keep your movements subdued at first. Remember that you
are seated next to a stranger, so use small gestures, slower movements, and
don't crowd them.

Once you are comfortable together (and you are no longer
seen as a threat) you can make faster, more animated gestures. Basically, show
interest in what your date's saying and doing, but don't go all Kramer on
them.

13. Stay in the moment.

One of the things that makes first meetings so
nerve-wracking is how much stock we place in them. Even though it might be hard
not to think about the future, stay grounded in the present moment.

It might be tempting to discuss things like marriage and
children, especially when you have had good rapport with someone online.
Take the pressure off yourself by letting them initiate any such
discussions. Doing so gives you the advantage of truly seeing where their
mind is at and what they think of you.

14. Look for things you have in common.

As you’re talking to your date, pick up on similarities
between the two of you. Perhaps you are both pet lovers and can bond over
pictures of your pets, or you might discover that you are both die hard
supporters of the same sports team. Highlighting what you have in common is the
best way to establish a deeper connection. It can also take some of the
pressure off conversation starting out, as you will find that you have much
more to talk about.

Learn to appreciate your differences, too. If your date
doesn’t happen to share your viewpoint on something, don’t automatically count
in as a strike against them. Think about how their opinions speak to their
character.

15. Saying Goodbye or See
you later.

If things have gone well, ask your date if they would be
willing to see you again at the end of the night. Be assertive and make it
known that you have had a good time with them. Leave your phone number with
your date and encourage them to call or text you, or ask for their number if
they seem open to giving it to you. If you have made a good first impression,
you could be on your way to forming a strong, lasting relationship.

If you want to see them again, don’t end the evening with a
handshake or a hug. If you like them, let them kiss you. Just let it
happen. You want to establish a romantic feel to your interactions with them
from the outset.Be assertive in signaling you would like to
go out or go out again. This could mean calling to say you had a
wonderful time or enjoyed meeting or sending a note, text or email. Be
genuine.

16. Follow-up.

Call your date the
next day and thank them for a lovely evening and if things clicked for
you two, ask for a second date. If they are not there, leave a message thanking
them and ask them to call back.

If they don’t call back within 48 hours, give another call.
If they still don’t call back, learn to take a hint and pursue other options. And
absolutely under no circumstances do you text, Facebook, or tweet their
date to follow up with them.

17. If it didn’t work,
accept and move on.

If you are not enjoying yourself, trust your instinct and don’t
hesitate to call it a night. If your date can’t appreciate the wonderful person
you are, don’t waste your time; you are bound to find someone who does.

But it is also advisable to give a person at least two dates
(especially since the first one isn’t really a date!) If you decide they
really aren’t for you, keep it simple and gracious. Say, “Thank you for a
nice time. I enjoyed meeting you, but I feel we are not a match.”

Be prepared for
rejection too — it happens. Get really good at handling it. If you
suffer a major loss, grieving is necessary. But not getting a second or third
date isn’t major loss. It is the opportunity to move on and find the person who
does want to be with you.

Remember:

The main point is to be yourself and work toward and believe
in a positive outcome. When you do, dating will be pleasurable and the outcome
that follows will be healthier and more productive.